Vacuum tank for fuel feeding



INVENTOR May 14, 1929. J. c. COULOMBE vAcUUI TANK {on FUEL FEEDING Filedlarch 1925 Josqp]: C. Coulomb's,

y 14, J.- c. COULOMBE VACUUM TANK FOR FUE FEEDING Filed March 5 1925 3Sheets-Sheet 2 INVIENTOR Joseph C. Coulombe ATTORNEY y 14, 1929' J. c.'COULOMBE 1.713 265 VAOUUI TANK FOR FUEL FEEDING Filed March 5, 1925 asheets-sheet 5 INVENTOR Jospph Coulamlae,

ATTORNEY Patented May l4 1929.

I IOEPH G. COULOMBE, F KOKOM QTNDIANA.

VACULUM TAN. K FOB FUEL FEEDING.

- applicati oni-filed Mach ,5, 1925. Serial No.13,225.

This invention relates to vacuum tanks and. is particularly directed toa novel arrangement of the-valve and float mechanism for controlling thepui'nping action ot'such a device.

Themain object, of the invention isto providejfor minimum sizes offloats for eliecting certain and rapid operation or" the valve mechanismso that the speed of pumping may be, mater ally increased in any g vensize of apparatus. SA further ob structions providing ect is to simplifythe con with certainty of operation.

Referring Fig, 1, is

to the drawings :1

2L-V1QW in elevation of the float valve, mechanism.

' gi e d ibly preferred form oi valve I trating the action of the valvelever Fig. 2, is a similar view, partially in sec-i tion. with the floatraised.

Fig. 3, is seinbly of Figure l, of the valve is vertical section showingas-,

the elements of the tank.

is a detailed fragmentary view and separating plate.

Figure 5,. is a perspective view or the float and valve lever support. VI

Figure 6, is a sectional view or an alternaleverv V Figure 7',

illustrates the valvelever and float, in open valve position.

Figure 8,

is a diagrammatic view illus and float.

In devices of this character, it has heretofore. been a. common practiceto employ either a hollow metal float or a cork float and the a reactivebuoyancy eflects of: such floats have been relied upon to thus becomes.gas logged v The cork float is also subject to overweig throughabsorption of the liquid. These floats have ordinarily open and closecertain valve mechanisms. v i The hollow valve float is ob ection able,'as it is liable to corrosion and perforation and 1 i ilt lindrical formsand where cork is employed. there is a great waste and unnecessaryexpense in cutting the cork to cylindrical form toiwhich-may be added, afurther cost incremerit of labor in their production.

The present invention is directed to obviate, as far as possible, thesedefects by utilizing a cork float of rectangular,iorm with a floatbooster or small, metallic cup of light weight which will materially aidthe lifting power of the cork float. This permits of the use of acomparatively small cork body for ease in assembly been of cy out from"cork sheets with a minimum of waste and which, when assembledanthemployed, as herein described, provides, an ef-l which, being ofrectangular form, maybe, cut

fective float which, even though it becomes gas logged, will still beating the mechanism. I I g I In addition to the deviceoi thegcompositeeifective tor oper float, there is also illustratechalever mechi-.anisin for the'valve which willfco operati'vely .act, with the float,to give variable lever' ages, for moving the valve, at predetermined 1positions of the float, thus insuring prede vtermined and certainfvalveactions with a float of comparatively small dimensions. 7 ihese variousfeatures are so corelated' and coalesced into a single structure, pro-iyiding simplicity in manufacture, economy in manu'iacture and assembly,and a substan tial reduction in the sizev of elements em ployed toprovide a pump of adequate pacity and one which will ope'rate withgreat,

certainty.

It has now become essential to this char acter of device, that they'operate continuously for long periods of time without attention and 111the event/of unforeseen clogging, t hat they may be readily accessiblefor;

cleansing,

In. the ,presentdevice, these features are amply provided :for andaunit? structure a v lve and float mechanism" is provided "which givesimmediate accessibility for inspection without liability of displacementof any oi' the parts.

Referring to Figure 3, there is anouter casing 1, which provides adelivery cl'iamber 2, which is connected to. a carburetor through asuitable coupling and nipple 3, so

that liquid fuel is delivered by gravity from the chamber 2, to thecarburetor.

This outer-casing 1, has slipped within it,

acasing 4, of anoperating chamber 5.: This is closed at the bottomuby aplate. 6, and gas ket 7 through binding screws 8, which pass through anannular flange 9, .and stifiening" ring 10.

There is a ing 1.

tion 15,7and suction connection 16 The latter may be connected with any1 source of suction, as the intakeman told' oi'theeng ne; or any pumpingdev ce. a I" I head ll having aiflange 12;, overa lying the upper turnededgelg', ofthe' cas Upon the head 11, there is a;connecting block 14,which serves for a fuel connecf-i llO 7 large main valve and valveopening and insures opening of the mam valve 21, under Ordinarily, thetank, as described, is located at a higher level than the main fuel tankand is connected to the latter through a suitable duct, connecting withthe fuel con nection 15.

- The plate 6, forms a separating plate between the operating chamber 5,and the distributing chamber 2. The latteris under lar form, whichextends upwardly into the operating chamber 5, above the point of thehigh liquid level of said chamber.

A valve 21, co-operates with thevalve seat 18, to open and control theflow through the tubular member 17, between the chambers 5, and 2.

The valve, as illustrated, is incompound form having a main valve 21,and an auxiliary relief valve 22, seated .in the main valve 21. Thisrelief valve permits the use of a float action, even with the chamber 5,under high sub-atmospheric tension.

The stem of the valve 22, is adjustable in a connecting link 23, pivotedas at 24, to avalve lever 25. Said lever 25, passes through a slotopening 26, in a rectangular support 27.

This support 27, is secured to the bottom plate 6, and the nut whichbinds it, also sek cures a dependent angle plate 28, that in turn servesas a support for a pivoted valve guide lever 29, the outer end. of thelatter is pivoted to the valve 22, the end of said lever beingbifurcated to'straddle the plate 29.

The rectangular support 27, also serves as a guide for the float. This,as illustrated, consists of a rectangular cork body 30, secured to ahollow guide member3l, at the upper end of which guide member is aninverted cup 32, the lower edge of which is on the line of the float.This cup is of cylindrical form and inasmuch as the float body 30, is ofrectangular form, there are free spaces as at 33, for 'the ingress ofair and egress of liquid from the inverted cup 32. r

The lower end of the float tube 31, is spun over or otherwise clampedagainst the plate.

34, which has a slotted dependant arm 35, through which passes the end36, of the valve lever 25. i

This lever, as will be noted, in Figs. 3 and 6 to 8 of the drawings, isof somewhat peculiar form having a cam surface 37,-which rides along theplate 34, during the downward movement of the float, graduallyincreasing the len th of the lever between the fulcrum point and pointof contact with the float so that a greater leverage is exerted inclosing the movement of the valve as the float descends. v r

The under side of the valve lever is also of cam form, as at 33, and isco-operatively designed with reference to the can] surface 37. As thefloat rises, the leverage is increased by the mechanism to secureopening movement of the valve inasmuch as the lower edge or cam 38, ofthe lever 25, rides along the lower portion of the groove of thedependent plate This feature of variable leverage, during the lift andS, where at the right of Figure 8, A,represents a position of the leveror the correof the lever, while G, at the right hand, represents theposition of contact of the lever with the valve in open position asindicated by G, at the left.

It will be noted that there is a certain lost' motion between the floatand the lever and this permits of the initial opening of the reliefvalve 22.

Figure 3, shows the float just rising and about to open the reliefvalve.

Figure 6, shows the float in a slightly ele from the high point of thehigh position of the cam surface 37, indicated at G, at the right inFigure 8, and the position at A, that there is a gradual increasingleverage upon the descent. of the float to its lowermost position.Similarly, there is an increasing leverage due to the change of point ofcontact of the cam surface 36, and the dependent member 35, during therise of the float.

It will be quite apparent that, as the float is immersed to its buoyantpoint and begins to rise, the leverage on the'valve mechanism isincreased and due to this increase and the angular position of the cam36, as soon as the float approaches its full buoyancy, there will be adecided snap action to open and hold open the valve. Of course,the flowof fuel from the chamber 5, to the chamber 2, aids in the opening of thevalve and similarly the sub-atmospheric condition of thechamber 5,

will aid somewhat in closing the valve as it approaches its seat.However, with the variable leverage arrangement illustrated, it ispossible to employ comparatively small float for the opening and closingof a comparatively large valve. In Figures 1 and 2, a similar mechanismis employed, to which reference characters have been given, as inFigures 3 to 8, with the exception of the valve lever;

of the float, is illustrated in Figures 7 sponding position 'of A, atthe left hand end 7 In these Figures 1 and'2, the valve lever has anupper cam A, andia lowercam B, although the relative positionand-designer these cam smhoeedo not provide so great. a variation 0 arise of lighter fluids, suchasair or satuor vaporizing purposes, in.which. case,

oi leverage asis secured in the form hereto foredesc ribed Obviously,the xexactflform. of lever maybe modified to any reasonable 'extent,andv cams may be designed to suit the exigencies of any particularrequirements without departing from the spirit or intent. of theinvention which mainly includes a variable leverage ployed. Inasmuch. asequilibrium between the operating chamber and the'xdistributing chamber2-, is established through the valve paning'th'rongh the plate 6, therewill-be rated vapors from thechamber- 2, to the chamber 5, said chamber2, being under atvmospheric tension, V

By dispensingwith the riser tube 20, this npwardsurg'mg may beutilizedfor aerating all of the air or fluid vapor'carried up throughthe chamber the body of the liquid in the chamber 5, from 2, Wlll passthrough the liquid of the chamber 5, 'to equalize the pressure in saidchambers; 2 and 5, therefore, a'liquid of greater or less viscositymaybe-raised from the lower levelrtothe chamber 5, and aerated. in itspassage-from saidchamber to any givenspoint of destination. This makesthe deviceparticalarly advantageous fornse in connection with theoilefengines. I

By attaching inlet 15,t0 the crank case below the oil level, or to anyconvenient well, connected with the engine, the oil will be drawn upinto the working chamber 5, and

will pass downward through the valve opening and chamber 2, to anysuitable receptacle where it may be utilized for lubrication.

By so using the device, dilution of the oil used for lubricatingpurposes in the engine, may be successfully avoided and, of course, thelower chamber may contain a suitable screen or strainer as indicated,for filteringthe oil, just as liquid fuel is filtered. It will,therefore, be apparent that'the deviceherein described is not limited inits usesto the feeding of fuel to a gas 5 engine, as it may equally wellbe employed with lubricating oils or other materials'where it isdesirable to secure an aerating effect.

The stand tube 20, is shown in the drawings and, of course, whereareation is not de-,

sired to its fullest extent, this stand tube serves to give a quickrelease and equalization of the pressures between the operating chamber5, and distributing chamber 2.

As soon as the auxiliary valve 22, is opened,

fluid-will passto lower the-suction efiaet of' the operating chamberand: immediately, 7

therefore, the main-valve 21, opens allowing immediate equalization, Thelighterwill. readily passcup through the'stand tube 20,-thus leaving aclear flowof liquid through themain valve opening; Y 1 1 When. it isdesired to; utilize the takingfull advantages of itspossible aeratingeffect," the stand tube 2O, may be dispensed with. Thereupon, the flowof fiuid'is entirely through the valve'opening and the body of liquid ofthe chamber 5.

'- In th s case, the operation of the will notb'e quite as rapid as withthe'standtnbe,

but of course, there is not suclimeed of rapid It is, of course,variable leveragedevice nterposedum the connections between thevalve'andfloat s applicable to any arrangement'ro-f' a-.-valve:or c

valves for controlling the pressureszin the nection and a liquid supplyconnection, a

discharge valve forthe chamber,a float corrfilling a'nd dumpingwhenaerating the liquid;

to be understoodthatthc operating chamber,-filling and emptying of andoccurs upon difierent level of.- the' and desire.

trolling the discharge valve and: a lever-con.-

nectionbetween the float and discharge valve,

said lever connection giving arr automatic variable leverage between thefloat: and valve. v. 2.,In a device oi thecharacterdescribed, anoperating chamber, having: a. snction connectionand; a liquid supplyconnection,- adischarge valve for the chamber, a float con trolling thedischarge valve, a lever for opening and closing the discharge valve andmeans appurtenant to the lever for automatically varying the leverage ofsaid lever between the valve and the float. i 2

3. In a device of thecharacter described,

an operating chamber,having a suctionconnection and a liquid supplyconnection, a discharge valve for the-chamber, a float controlling thedischarge valve and a variable leverage device reacting automaticallybetween the discharge valve and float during the operating movements ofthe float.

4. Ina device of the character described, an operating chamber, having asuction con-' nection and a liquid supply connection, a discharge valvefor the chamber, a float controlling the discharge valve and meanscooperatively related with the float for varying the reaction of thefloat on the valve during the closing movements of the valve.

v i 5. In a device of the character described,

an operating chamber, having asuction concharge valve for the chamber, afloat con- 'an-operatinglchamber, having a suction connection and aliquid supply connection, a discharge valve for the chamber, a floatcontrolling the discharge valve and means co, operatively related withthe float for varying the reactions of the float with reference to thevalve during the opening and closing movements of the valve. 4

7-. In a device of the character described, an operating chamber, havinga suction con nection and a liquid supply connection, a compounddischarge valve for the chamber, a float controlling the compounddischarge valve and a lever providing a variable leverage connectionbetween the float pound discharge'valve. i, 1

8. Ina-device of the character described, an operating'chamber having asuction connection and a liquid supply connection, a compound dischargevalve and intermediate connections forming a variable leverage de vicebetween the compound dischargevalve and float. c

9. In a device of the character described, an operating chamber having asuction connection, afluid connection and discharge con nection, a valvecontrolling the dischargeconncction, a composite float having a bodypart and a fluid containing part operating therewith to increase thetotal buoyancy of the float and connections including a lever havmg avarlable leverage through movements of the float. r

10. In a device of the character described,

and com-- 7 for actuating the valve 7 of the leverupon the float isvaried atdifl'erent positions of the float.-

a cam COIl- 11. In a device'of the character described, 7

an operating chamber having arectangular float, a support orfloat guide,a rectangular float mounted thereon," a lever pivoted to the floatguide, an adjustable link connection at one end of said lever, avalve-connected with the link, a cam contactbetween the o posite end ofthe lever and the float where b eflective operation'of the lever uponthefloat is varied at different positions of'the float;

an operating chamber-whaving awcomposite float consisting of a buoyantbody part and buoyantair chamber, a support or float guide, a compositefloat mounted thereon, a" lever pivoted to the floatguide,'an-adjustablelink I connection at one end ofsaidlevenxa valveconnected with the link, a cam contact between the composite end of'thelever and the float whereby theeflective operation of the lever upon thefloat isvaried atdiflerent positions of the/float; I a 1 13. Ina deviceof the character described, an operating'chamber having variablepressures for pumping a fluid, a valve mechanism for controlling thepressures,a float forvcontrolling the' valve mechanism and variableleverage device interposed in the valve'mecln anlsm between the valveand float.

y the 12. In a'deviceofthe character described,

1 JOSEPH o. oo LoMBn. .7 V

